A more effective legislature

A more effective legislature

We'd like to underscore the view expressed by Dr. Sudjati
Djiwandono, a political observer of the Centre of Strategic and
International Studies that "If the people's sovereignty still
does not function optimally and the executive branch remains
dominant, then the quality of our legislators, who are elected as
a result of the 1997 general elections, cannot be hoped to be any
better than those produced in past elections."

We have come to the conclusion that, in order for the
principle of the people's sovereignty to function in accordance
with the dictates of the Constitution, the process of recruiting
our legislators must be independent. In other words, our
legislators must be free from the effects of the screening
process conducted by the executive branch.

In addition, the control function of the legislature vis-a-vis
the executive branch must be made optimal. Clear rules must be
drawn up to ensure that the control exerted by the legislature is
conformed with by the executive branch.

We agree with Sudjati Djiwandono that in order to optimize the
functioning of the principle of the people's sovereignty, the
executive branch should show some greater sensitivity towards the
aspirations of the people.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta